We’ve all heard of messenger pigeons, or more technically, homing pigeons—birds that can carry messages to specific destinations across exceptionally long distances. Using the magnetic fields of the Earth as navigation, these birds can find their way back home from distances up to 1,800 kilometers (1,100 mi).

Because of this unique skill, homing pigeons were used for many years as a means of communication among humans. This list looks at homing pigeons during World War I and World War II and how they played an integral role in saving hundreds of lives. If you know of any other famous pigeons from any time period, please be sure to mention in the comments!

10 Cher Ami

Our list begins with Cher Ami, a heralded messenger pigeon that single-handedly saved a battalion of 200 men from certain death. On October 2, 1918, in the thick of World War I, Major Charles Whittlesey and his division were valiantly fighting through German defenses in what would be called the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of October 1918.

However, they were the only US forces that managed to cross German lines. By the next morning, they were under heavy enemy artillery fire and were being decimated by mortar, machine gun, and sniper fire. Headquarters was unable to provide any assistance, so they took the only action they could—an artillery barrage of their own.

The US soldiers were horrified as friendly missiles unexpectedly began to crash all around them. Whittlesey quickly wrote a plea for cease-fire and strapped it to his last carrier pigeon, Cher Ami. As soon as he took off, though, the Germans directed fire on him and shot him out of the air.

Still, Cher Ami managed to traverse the 40 kilometers (25 mi) to headquarters and deliver his lifesaving message. There, it was discovered that the bird had lost a leg and an eye and had been shot through the breast. For his heroics, Cher Ami received the Croix de Guerre from the French army and was enshrined in the Smithsonian.

9 G.I. Joe

On October 18, 1943, during the peak of World War II, Calvi Vecchia, a small, German-occupied town in Italy, was about to be bombed by the British 56th Infantry Brigade. However, the Germans unexpectedly withdrew from the town. With this unexpected turn of events, the citizens scrambled to deliver the good news to the British through radio communications.

Unfortunately, these attempts failed to get word through. An imminent bombing was looming, and the lives of hundreds of people were at stake. As a last resort, the messenger pigeon G.I. Joe was sent to deliver the message.

Making a 32-kilometer (20 mi) trip in 20 minutes, G.I. Joe safely informed US Air Command and impressively managed to stop what would have been a tragic and unnecessary bombing. It is estimated that G.I. Joe saved up to 1,000 people, including inhabitants of Calvi Vecchia and British troops. G.I. Joe received the Dickin Medal for his exemplary service.

8 Mary Of Exeter

Mary of Exeter was a carrier pigeon that became famous for her longevity, surviving a variety of attacks and carrying out many military missions during World War II. She joined the National Pigeon Service in 1940 and was used to deliver secret messages between England and France.

Once, she was wounded in the neck and breast by German hawks. She received 22 stitches when she returned and was back in action within a mere two months. On another mission, she had part of her wing shot away and three pellets embedded in her body. On her last mission, Mary was hit by shrapnel in the neck and needed a leather collar to properly function again.

At the end of the war, Mary was awarded the Dickin Medal for her incredible endurance in war service, and in 2003, the mayor of Exeter unveiled a plaque in Mary’s honor at the Northernhay Gardens in England.

7 Mocker

The next flying hero is certainly famous for his long career. The messenger pigeon Mocker flew 52 missions during World War I before he was finally wounded. On his last mission, his left eye and part of his cranium were destroyed by a shell splinter. Even with his extensive injuries, Mocker still managed to deliver an extremely important message that detailed the location of enemy artillery.

Due to Mocker’s valor, the Americans were able to destroy the enemy battery within 20 minutes. Consequently, Mocker’s efforts enabled US troops to capture the town of Beaumont, France. After his death on June 15, 1935, his body was put on display in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

6 Paddy

Born and raised in Carnlough, North Ireland, Paddy was a messenger pigeon who played a crucial role in the D-day operations in June 1944. He was trained alongside thousands of other racing birds with the RAF Hurn in Hampshire.

Noticed for his outstanding flying skills, Paddy was directed to the US First Army for special missions during the D-day landings. Paddy persevered through poor weather conditions and fought against German falcons to deliver vital information about the Allies’ progress in the invasion. He was one of the fastest messenger pigeons in the operation with an average speed of 90 kilometers per hour (56 mph).

For his service, Paddy was also awarded the esteemed Dickin Medal.

5 Commando

Another recipient of the Dickin Medal, the war pigeon Commando contributed small but extremely valuable victories against the Nazis in Germany. Throughout Commando’s 90 missions during World War II, he delivered crucial intelligence for the Allied forces.

During the climax of World War II, Commando was noted for three particular missions in June, August, and September 1942. On each of these occasions, he carried intelligence to the Special Operations Executive, the British intelligence agency, from German-occupied France. With this information, the Allied forces were better equipped to fight and defend themselves against their German enemies.

4 President Wilson

President Wilson was another pigeon that valiantly served with the US Army during World War I. He was with the Tank Corps during his first deployment and was stationed in the forwardmost tanks to deliver the location of enemy machine gun nests.

He was then transferred to the infantry unit and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918. Released to request artillery support, Wilson flew through waves of German bullets to deliver his message. In the process, he lost his left leg and was shot through the breast.

However, he survived his wounds and lived a quiet life until he died in 1929. A taxidermist then prepared the bird for display at the Smithsonian Institution.

3 Winkie

On February 23, 1942, during World War II, a damaged RAF bomber landed in the North Sea while returning from a mission in Norway. Although there were rescue planes searching the area, they were unable to find the four men in the freezing waters. Facing a cold and miserable death, the men sent a carrier pigeon, Winkie, as their last hope for survival.

After escaping the oily water surrounding the plane, Winkie managed to fly over 200 kilometers (120 mi) of water to reach his loft in Broughty Ferry, where his owner George Ross informed the RAF Leuchars of the predicament. Although Winkie was not carrying a message, the RAF was able to deduce the damaged bomber’s location from the time of Winkie’s arrival.

As a result of Winkie’s valiant efforts, the four men in the bomber were rescued. Rightfully so, Winkie was the first of many animals to receive the Dickin Medal, an honor equivalent to the Victoria Cross.

2 White Vision

A female war pigeon bred in Scotland, White Vision served in World War II and was a recipient of the Dickin Medal for her bravery. On October 11, 1943, the crew members of one of the Catalina flying boats, used by the RAF Coastal Command to patrol sea routes for U-boats, were stranded in dire weather conditions in the North Sea.

All radio communications ceased to work, and when the plane crashed into the sea, White Vision was sent to deliver their location. Flying 100 kilometers (60 mi) against extremely strong winds, she was able to return to her loft and deliver the message.

Due to her efforts, the search for the crew members resumed and the flying boat was found. After spending 18 hours at sea, all 11 members of the crew were rescued successfully.

1 William Of Orange

Part of the British military service MI14, William of Orange was a war pigeon whose messages saved over 2,000 lives in World War II. During the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, Allied units had a communication crisis as German troops surrounded airborne forces and radio sets malfunctioned.

British soldiers released William as a last resort. He flew over 400 kilometers (250 mi) back to the United Kingdom and carried one of the few messages that made its way back to headquarters, alleviating the Allies’ communication crisis.

After his war days, William was bought out of service by Sir William Smith of Cheshire and reportedly became “the grandfather of many outstanding pigeons.”

I am currently a college student planning on majoring in public health with a minor in American studies. I’ve always had an an avid interest in history, particularly war history. Some of my other hobbies include reading, drawing, and practicing guitar and piano.

Dogs have definitely won the propaganda war when it comes to pet popularity. Dogs are man’s best friend while cats are those aloof animals who will only occasionally allow a human to touch them. For all their stand-offish behaviour humans still tolerate cats enough to let them poop in a tray in their homes. Yet sometimes a cat repay their owners and will show them that feline affection is a real thing. Sometimes their displays of love are downright heroic.

Here are ten cats that have saved lives.

Top 10 Job Titles Held By Cats

10 Warming a Baby

When a tiny baby, less than 12 weeks old, was abandoned by his parents in Russia the outlook for his survival was not good. The weather was brutally cold and it looked unlikely that the child would survive the night. The infant was saved however by a local cat named Masha.

Many people fear having a baby and a cat in the same house because of the risk of a cat deciding that the baby’s face is an ideal spot to sit. In the case of Masha it was by climbing on top of the baby that they saved the child. Perhaps because the baby was in a box it was doubly irresistible to the cat.

Masha’s warmth kept the child alive and by meowing loudly was able to draw the attention of a neighbour. The child was taken to hospital and cared for while a search was made for his parents. Masha was rewarded with large quantities of treats and petting by admiring residents of the nearby apartment block.^[1]

9 Cancer Finder

Dogs have long been trained to detect things no human could sense. They have even been put to work in medicine where a dog’s nose can pick up the chemical signatures of diseases as diverse as Parkinson’s, Malaria, and Cancer. Training a cat is slightly more tricky. Sometimes though a cat can spontaneously show this amazing ability.

Sue McKenzie had spent twenty years living with a cat called Tom who very rarely showed her any affection. One day however Tom began to repeatedly bat at the back of his owner’s neck and meow loudly. Worrying her elderly cat was showing signs of an illness she took him to the vet. When the vet found nothing wrong with Tom it was suggested that maybe Sue was the one who needed help.

A scan revealed a cancerous lump. The doctors successfully treated Sue but gave her a stern lecture on always listening to her cat. Sue could not have known Tom would save her life when she welcomed the young stray into her home.^[2]

8 Diabetes Detector

Rescuing an animal can be one of the best things a person can do. Not only do you give another living thing a home the animal repays you with companionship and can improve your mental and physical health. For Hazel Parkyn her rescue cat Walter has saved her life over 50 times.

Hazel suffers from diabetes and her blood sugar level sometimes drops dangerously in the night as she sleeps. When this happens Walter detects it, perhaps by smelling chemical changes, he smacks her in the face to wake her up. This allows her to treat the low blood sugar before it becomes dangerous.

Ironically Hazel had bought a dog in hopes of training it to warn her if she was in danger. The dog proved to be useless in this task while Walter sits by Hazel’s bed at night ready to pounce.^[3]

7 Seizure Sensor

Cats are not always the most gentle of doctors. If a patient is about to suffer a seizure it is not usual medical practice for a doctor to bite them. Biting, however, is exactly what Blake does to his owner.

Glen Schallman has a range of illnesses that can bring on dangerous seizures at any time. While he might be able to detect the signs of an oncoming episode during his sleep a seizure could prove fatal. When he adopted Blake however he found that the young cat was giving him advance warning of an attack – by biting his toes.

Glen is now the oldest person ever recorded with his combination of illnesses and this can in part be put down to the tender ministrations of his feline protector. Blake was not trained to act as a guardian over his sleeping owner but has proved to be a trustworthy nurse.^[4]

6 Dog Fighter

Despite their reputation as man’s best friend dog can, sometimes, turn against humans. A dog bite can be a serious thing and is particularly risky for a child. When Jeremy, a four year old boy with autism, was attacked by a dog he might have sustained serious injuries.

Jeremy was riding his bike outside his home when Scrappy, a neighbour’s dog, grabbed his leg and began to shake him violently. It was then that Jeremy’s family cat Tara literally leapt into action. She launched herself at the dog. The dog turned tail and ran back to his home. Jeremy was left needing seven stitches but his injuries could have been much worse.

Tara was a stray that had followed the family home from the park one day. In return for her bravery against the larger dog Tara has since gone on to fame and acclaim. As well as multiple awards she has ‘thrown’ out the opening pitch at a baseball game and June the 3rd was named as “Tara the Hero Cat Day.”

10 Outrageous Stories Of Cats’ Lives Saved In Strange Ways

5 Fire Alarm

When a fire broke out in the night at a family home it was not a fire alarm that woke the sleeping family member but their cat Bandit. Bandit ran to the bedroom of owner and scratched her face to wake her up. Most people would be upset by a cat scratch but Bandit’s owners had reason to be happy. Able to call a fire engine their house, and lives, were saved.

The family owned several animals but the other three dogs, four cats, four kittens, and their hamsters and gerbils proved less helpful in their rescue. All the animals and humans in the house were saved.

Had they not been woken by Bandit the billowing smoke in the house might have smothered everyone inside to death. The local fire brigade was quick to praise Bandit’s heroic efforts – but they also suggested that people should invest in fire alarms rather than relying on their pets.^[5]

4 911 Caller

Sometimes a cat can call for help in a literal way. When Gary Rosheisen fell from his wheelchair in his home there was no way for him to reach the telephone to call for help. Yet police turned up and were able to help him anyway. The puzzle was how the police had known to come out.

The police had received a 911 call but no one was one the other end. When they phoned the number back there was no answer so they decided to check the address of the phone call to make sure that everything was okay. It was then that they found Tommy the cat next to the phone.

His owner had once tried to teach Tommy to call 911 in an emergency but did not think it had stuck in the cat’s mind. Making matters easier for Tommy was the fact that 911 was on speed-dial given his owner’s ill-health. With one button Tommy saved the day.^[6]

3 A Good Heart

Claire Nelson took a chance when she adopted a cat called Rusty. Because the cat was quite old most people had passed it by in search of a cuter kitten. Rusty would pay back his new owner almost immediately however.

When she began feeling a little unwell Rusty started acting very strangely. Normally incredibly mellow, as most cats tend to be, Rusty became anxious and would not leave her side. When Nelson tried to lay down the cat jumped up on er chest and would not let her go to sleep. Unable to go to bed and still not feeling well Nelson finally decided to visit the doctor. While waiting for a bus she took a turn for the worse and called 911.

Doctors found that Nelson had suffered a heart attack and needed emergency surgery. Without Rusty causing a fuss she may have gone to bed and never woken up again.^[7]

2 Crimean Tom

The Crimean War of the 1850s saw Russia fighting an alliance of the British Empire, France, and the Ottomans. During the fighting the Russians holding the city of Sevastopol were put under siege for almost a year. When the allied troops finally captured the city they found hardly any supplies to support them left. That is when Tom, a stray cat, stepped in.

Lieutenant William Gair was given orders to find any food left in the city. He was leading searches of cellars when he spotted Tom. Tom looked unusually fat for a cat that had just survived a year-long siege. Gair reasoned that Tom must know where there were plenty of mice – and where there were mice there must be a supply of food. Tom led the British to plentiful stores several times and helped the troops avoid starvation.

For his role in saving the soldiers Gair brought Tom back to Britain with him. Unfortunately Tom did not survive long but Gair had him stuffed and preserved in honour of his bravery. Whether the cat now kept in the Imperial War Museum is really Crimean Tom is unknown, but his story lives on.^[8]

1 Saving a Baby

A cat named Gatubela would seem to be destined to prove heroic. Gatubela is a translation of Catwoman and when Gatubela saw a baby at risk she jumped in to save the day. When baby Samuel crawled towards a steep flight of stairs the cat pounced to try and force him away from the edge.

In a video of the rescue Gatubela can be seen rushing to Samuel and grabbing his back to try and pull him away. When that doesn’t work she jumps in front of him and uses her paws to push and startle him backwards. The baby sits down and Gatubela seems content that he is safe.

Of course cats are still cats. When Samuel is safe Gatubela proceeds to pounce on the baby and bat him around a little. That bit of the video was cut out of most versions found online – hitting a child after you save it is not really the done thing.^[9]

10 Cats With Amazing Careers

You probably picture pigs running around in a field or rooting in the dirt when you think of the porcine creatures. But what if we told you that these animals are also incredibly brave in addition to being adorable?

Pigs have been around for thousands of years and are among the most common farm animals. They’re intelligent and trainable; they even make great pets! But what’s most remarkable about these creatures is their ability to overcome incredible odds to save their friends and family.

So here are ten stories about heroic pigs from all over the world, from fire rescues to fending off robbers and more.

10 Pet Pig Saves Veteran Owner from Apartment Fire

It’s no secret that pigs are some of the most heroic animals on Earth; they’re just too cute to be anything but. But when you’re a pig with an owner who’s a veteran, your sense of duty gets kicked up a notch. That’s what happened to this little piggy who saved his owner from an apartment fire.

In April 2022, a 500-pound (226-kilogram) pet pig named Hamilton helped his owner, 30-year-old Gilbert Anaya, escape from a New Jersey house fire. Hamilton assisted Anaya by shutting the door to the garage, slowing down the spread of the fire as the animal escaped from the burning building. Anaya, asleep upstairs, awoke to smoke and went to check on Hamilton but saw he had already fled the burning garage. He was calmly grazing in the yard.

The fire department told Anaya that Hamilton closing the garage door bought him an extra 15 to 20 minutes to escape, ultimately saving the veteran’s life. Anaya further revealed that Hamilton, who’s been his pet for over six years, is trained to close doors, and he just instinctively closed the garage door as he escaped with his owner.

Fortunately, neither Anaya nor Hamilton was injured in the fire. However, their apartment complex burned to the ground, and they are staying with a friend of Anaya’s for the time being.^[1]

9 Pigs vs. Geese: Tactical Swine Unit Protects Schiphol Airport from Geese

You may have heard that pigs are pretty intelligent, but did you know they’re also elite soldiers? At the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, a special unit of pigs is trained to protect the facility from geese. The pigs undergo rigorous training to learn how to patrol and catch the birds, which can be quite dangerous when they get too close to planes or other people.

The airport management of Schiphol claims that geese “pose a serious risk to aviation safety” because they are large, fly in flocks, and can do significant damage to aircraft even if only one goose is involved. The problem with geese at airports is that they often get lost and confused while migrating, which can lead them into dangerous situations where they need help from humans or other animals.

The airport has tried multiple technological ways to scare off the birds, like using green lasers, but the team of trained pigs proved to be the more effective tactic at the end of the day.^[2]

8 Wenchuan’s Hero Pig That Survived an Earthquake

It’s a classic tale of heroism: A pig that survived one of the most devastating earthquakes in history. The Sichuan earthquake that struck the southwestern part of China on May 12, 2008, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The 7.9 quake killed over 80,000 people and left about a million people homeless.

But amid all the chaos and devastation, one unlikely hero showed up during this tragedy’s chaos.

Zhu Jianqiang, or “Strong Pig” due to his extraordinary will to survive, was one of the survivors in an area the earthquake had leveled. He kept himself alive under the rubble for 36 days with water and coal. Dropping a significant amount of weight from 331 pounds (150 kilograms) to a meager 110 pounds (50 kilograms).

The quake made Zhu Jianqiang a celebrity, and the privately run museum complex commemorating this amazing feat adopted him to be a living symbol of China’s resilience in the face of a tragedy like the Sichuan earthquake.^[3]

7 Hero Pig Stops Home Invasion

Have you ever wondered what kind of hero would save your home from being robbed? If you’re like us, you probably thought of a dog. Maybe a cat. Or maybe even an elephant. But did you ever think of a pig?

On July 31, 2018, a woman and her four children nearly became the victims of a home invasion. But unlike two of their neighbors (who lost everything when the thieves were successful at their homes), these lucky folks were spared when their heroic rescue pig, Dumplin, scared off the intruders trying to break into the family’s house.

The woman and her children had recently adopted Dumplin from a shelter and have been living with them ever since. Maybe scaring off the robbers was his way of repaying the family for rescuing him.^[4]

6 Lulu the Pig Saves Her Owner

When it comes to medical emergencies, you expect someone who at least knows the basics to help you, but what if you’re all alone and your pot-bellied pet pig is the only companion you have at the moment? Well, in this story, we’re going to look at Lulu, a pig who saved her owner from near-certain death.

Jo Ann Altsman was all alone when she suffered a heart attack—her husband was away fishing. Her only companion in her home was her pet pig, Lulu. When Jo Ann felt the chest pains, she called out for help, but no one was within earshot. She feared that this attack could be fatal.

But Lulu came to the rescue. She ran through the door flap and through the front-yard fence—becoming injured along the way. She made it to the road, where she lay down, hoping someone would stop to check on her. After several cars drove around the motionless pig, someone finally stopped. Seeing the injured pig, he called for help and received Jo Ann’s return call help in response. The man acted fast and was able to call for paramedics to help Jo Ann. All thanks to Lulu.^[5]

5 Woman Saved from Apartment Fire by Pet Pig

In a world where pets are considered family members, it’s not surprising that some people would go to great lengths to protect their cherished companions. But one woman took her pet pig’s safety to the extreme when she was trapped in a fire.

Tulsa resident, Courtney Goff, lost everything to a fire one Saturday morning. Her pet pig, Theo, woke her up when he noticed the fire. Goff thought he was just hungry for his usual midnight snack, but when she saw the fire, she immediately rushed to get her father and friend. Unfortunately, Theo was left behind.

When Goff tried to return to him, the fire was too big, and firefighters forced her out of the house. She begged them to rescue Theo, but it was too dangerous. Not caring for her own safety, Goff rushed back into the burning building to try and find Theo herself, but the firefighters once again forced her out.

Later, they found Theo’s body in the burned debris, and Goff plans to have him cremated and hold a memorial for the pig that saved her life.^[6]

4 Pig Saves Family from Fire

It’s not every day that you hear about pigs saving families. But it does happen, and it’s pretty great. Lucky is one such pig. Lucky is a heroic pig credited with saving Ina Farler’s life and her two grandchildren after a fire broke out in their mobile home one early Sunday morning.

While Lucky usually woke the family in the morning, Farler became concerned when she heard him squealing at 4:40 am. When she woke up, she saw the room was full of smoke. That was when she knew the trailer was on fire.

Thanks to the swift action of Lucky and a helpful neighbor, Farler escaped with her two grandchildren before their trailer burned down. Firefighters swiftly put out flames that destroyed everything inside, but everyone got out alive! The family’s beloved pig is safe as well.^[7]

3 Pig Rescues Friend from Being Butchered

When pigs are butchered, it’s a sad day. But one pig decided that he wasn’t going to take it anymore. He decided to save his friend from the butcher’s knife. A pig in Banan District in Chongqing, China, was filmed rescuing his friend who was being prepared to be slaughtered.

The short clip showed the pig charging at the men who were holding another pig down for slaughter. Startled, the men let go and backed away from the angry swine. But the pig didn’t stop there; it turned and charged at the man holding the butcher knife to keep him away from the other pig.

Although it’s not known what happened after the clip ended, the pig’s heroic act to save his friend, though short-lived, was enough to get the video to go viral for a time. Proving that even pigs can at least try to save their friends.^[8]

2 Norm McDonald’s Story of Canadian Farmer’s Hero Pig

Norm McDonald is a Canadian comedian with a whole lot of funny stories up his sleeve, but one story, in particular, came from his Canadian hometown of Monkland. Norm recounts a story of when he visited his hometown and went to an old neighbor of his who was a farmer. The farmer was showing him his pigs when Norm noticed one with a wooden peg leg.

He asked the farmer what happened, and he told a story of when their house caught fire; the pig broke out of his pen and went into the burning house to wake up the farmer and his family. They managed to escape the fire thanks to the pig.

Another story the farmer recounted was when his son fell down the well, and the same pig tugged at the rope down the well until the boy managed to climb back out. Norm’s hometown of Monkland is full of funny stories, but the one with the hero pig with the wooden leg is the best out of everything.^[9]

1 Hero Pig Fights off Robbers

Pigs might look like sweet and cuddly creatures, but don’t be fooled! They are also fierce warriors who will do whatever it takes to protect their families, and Arnold is one such pig.

The 300-pound pet pig became a star attraction in his Minneapolis neighborhood after he saved his owner one February when two men threatened her in her garage.

Moyer said she had left the side door open and soon felt something like a gun in her back. She went into the kitchen where Arnold was lying on the floor; when Moyer began screaming, Arnold sprang into action. Moyer said that Arnold swung around and bit the man right in his calf muscle. The guy yelled, then ran out of the room with his friend. Her other pet, a Vietnamese pot belly named Axel, hid under a chair the entire time.

Although police have not arrested any suspects in the incident, it prompted Arnold to receive an award from the Minneapolis Police Department. His status as a neighborhood mascot has made Moyer well-known among residents of Stevens Square, a crime-plagued area where she lives.^[10]